Granada. A city of Southern Spain, founded by the Moors in the 8th century. It formed at first part of the kingdom of Cordova. In 1236, Mohammed-al-Hamar made it the capital of his new kingdom of Granada, which was subjugated by the “great captain,” Gonsalvo de Cordova, in 1492. Granada was taken by Marshal Soult in 1810, and held till 1812.
Granada, New. The name formerly given to the republic now known as the [United States of Colombia] ([which see]).
Grand. This word is frequently used, both in French and English, to indicate superiority of position, force, or display; as [grand master], grand army, grand march, grand parade, etc.
Grand Division. A battalion or regiment being told off by two companies to each division, is said to be told off in grand divisions; hence, grand-division firing is when the battalion fires by two companies at the same time, and is commanded by one officer only.
Grand Guard. The main guard of an army; the guard covering the army or camp from an attack by the enemy; other guards are called [interior guards].
Grand Master. The title of the head of the military orders, the Hospitallers, the Templars, and the Teutonic knights.
Grand Master of Cross-bows. The [personnel] of the French artillery was for a long time prior to 1420 retained, together with the engineers, under the general direction of an officer who was titled “grand master of cross-bows.” In 1420 the master-general of artillery was made independent of this officer.
Grand Rounds. See [Rounds].
Grand Tactics. See [Tactics].
Granicus. A river in Northwestern Asia Minor, near which, on May 22, 334 B.C., Alexander the Great signally defeated the Persians. The Macedonian troops (30,000 foot and 5000 horse) crossed the Granicus in the face of the Persian army (600,000 foot and 20,000 horse). Sardis capitulated, Miletus and Halicarnassus were taken by storm, and other great towns submitted to the conqueror.